On August 27 Electronic Arts Inc. (EA) released Madden 25, so named in celebration of its 25th anniversary.
While videos games sometimes have the reputation of being a waste of time, the Madden sreries of football games can teach you life skills, like how to budget money while also giving lessons in marketing and public relations.
EA Sports introduced Franchise Mode in 1998, which allowed players to take the role of a General Manager of a team. This gave the players the ability to manage contracts, free agency, draft picks, and even the hiring and firing of coaches. Madden 25 takes the mode to a whole new level and allows gamers to act as the owner, and learn how to manage money, negotiate deals, and budget to maximize success.
Here are some of the lessons that Madden 25 provides for sports fans.
Budgeting Your Money
As the owner of the team you will have to make important money decisions. Building a successful team requires an owner who knows how to budget player salaries. You could spend the big bucks and try to grab superstars like Peyton Manning or Aaron Rodgers as your QB. Or you could opt for a cheaper QB and put quality offensive linemen and receivers around him.
Shopping for Value
The free agency market is not all too different than the stock market. Just like stock prices rise and fall, player values waver depending on their performances. A free agent could either end up being the next big thing or a bust. Madden players must use their wits in order to figure out which free agent will be worth the risk. Often times, there will be players that can be picked up on the cheap with equal or better ratings than higher paid players.
Negotiating
If you end up with a player that does not fit your team, don't fret because you have the option to trade with other franchises. Owners will have to hone their negotiation skills in order for the competition to accept their trade offers. Savvy managers may be able to pluck some highly valuable assets with the right combination of expendable role players and draft picks.
Supply and Demand
Madden also gives players a taste of what happens off the field. Players must generate revenue for their franchise and make sure they have enough funds to be successful on the field. Game features allows you to control how much to sell a Tom Brady jersey to setting the price of a chili dog at a concession stand. It is important to know who your market is. Each city has a unique market size, personality, and fan interest percentage.
Investing for the Future
Once you have generated enough funds, you can begin to look further down the road. Madden allows you to renovate stadiums or tear it down and build a new stadium in hopes of attracting higher attendance and generating more revenue through ticket sales, concessions, and team merchandise. In addition, owners can decide whether or not they want to relocate to another city where there is a bigger market.
Managing Public Image
The owners have the added responsibility of making media statements. In Owner mode, players must answer some of the toughest questions from the press. One incorrect response could have fans booing your team and leaving their seats at the stadium.
For beginning players all of these functions may be a bit overwhelming. There's no need to worry because expert analysts in each field are there to guide you along the way. In addition, a Twitter feed from the media, critics, and fans let players know what type of changes you will need to make.
Taking the New York Giants to the Super Bowl in Madden 25 will not translate to a real job in the NFL. However, the Owners Mode could teach you a thing or two about running an organization. For those who prefer a simpler experience, the classic exhibition mode guarantees countless hours of entertainment.
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